Sarkozy's task

Here's a link to the Register's editorial on the victory of Nicolas Sarkozy in the election for president of France. Most observers think this was something of a landmark election for France -- both candidates were born after World War II, both offered change from the Gaullist approach -- and French voters, 85 percent of whom turned out, seemd to think it was important too.

Sarkozy has said he wants to get France back to working again and that he admires the United States, especially its work ethic. However, the welfare-entitlement state is deeply entrenched institutionally, and French young people -- the privileged ones, not the Muslim immigrants -- rioted a year or so ago when Chirac suggested that for workers under 26 perhaps it would be OK to give employers more flexibility about firing them or laying them off during the first two years of employment.